Curtain wall



Jan. 1, 1963 G. R. GALL 3,071,215

CURTAIN WALL Ll5 INVENToR. 650265 2. @ALL BY BMM, mi

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,4 TTOENEY G. R. GALL CURTAIN WALL Jan. l, 1963 AUDE/V576 G. R. GALLCURTAIN WALL Jan. 1, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 17, 19571NVENTOR.

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Kaum/4 ATTOE/'JEYS G.R.GALL

CURTAIN WALL Jan. 1, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 17, 1957INVENTOR. GEO/ees '2 GALL. BYM1z5;.,..- l

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ATTOENETS G. R. GALL CURTAIN WALL Jan. 1, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledApril 17, 1957 INVENTOR. @Eo/26E E. @ALL BY 66M ATTO/21u57@ *ttes Thisinvention relates to exterior building walls and more particularly toexterior curtain walls formed from a plurality of pre-assembled units,sections, or panels.

Recently there has been a marked increase by architects and builders in`the recommendation, use 4and provision of curtain walls in theconstruction of commercial and oltice buildings and the like. YBroadlycurtain walls comprise and are formed from a plurality of pre-,assembledunits, sections or panels which are connected together into a completewall, facade or portion thereof, as desired, at the building rksite andwhich are secured to beams, columns or other structural members bysuitable hangers or other means.

Curtain walls are non-load-bearing and a unit or section conveniently isone or more stories high and includes at least one window portion,having iixed or movable sash, and one panel portion having a metal oropaque panel or `box which is lfilled -with insulating material `and mayhave an outer or decorative surface of any desired color. Frequently theframe members of each unit or section are formed from one metal,commonly Vextruded or rolled aluminum, for example, and the .panel ismade from another metal, enameled steel, for example. The sections orunits are bolted, welded or otherwise secured to each other and thestructural steel framework of the building.

Difficulty has been experienced with such walls -in making themweather-,proof so as to positively exclude rain, water, snow and wind.This difculty has `apparently arisen not only because ofthe inherentdifculty of securing each unit or section to each of the adjacent unitsor sections with `a weather-tight joint but also because vof the addedburden of making joints between and within the units or sections whichremain 4weather-tight when the units or panels include one or moredifferent materials having co-etcients of expansions which differ ,fromeach other and/.or dilfer from that of the structural members of thebuilding. The diiculty has been especially marked where aluminum is used,in the curtain wall because Vit has a `relatively `large co-efcient ofexpansion as compared with other building materials.

It is therefore a general object of my invention to provide an improvedcurtain wall 4and section or unit therefor which is easily andreconomically produced, and pleasing in appearance, which is strong andhas great utility and which is weather resistant and leakproof insubstantially all `kinds of weather, in all seasons, at all temperaturesand without regard to the temperature differentials `between theVinterior and exterior of the Vbuilding of which the Wall ,is a part.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a curtain wallwhich is easily and conveniently assembled and erected Aat the site frompre-,fabricated units or sections, another object of `my invention isthe provision of a unit or section for I,a curtain wall and a curtain`wall formed Vfrom a plurality of such sections `in which the paneland/or glass portionscf each `unit or section float relative to `thesection and each other .and the `sections or units are `connectedtogether so as to oat or Vallow for expansion `and contratciontherebetween, all without loss of weatherproofness.

Still other objects of my invention include t-he provision of improvedmeans for mounting and sealing panels and/ or glass portions .withinpre-assembled units or sec- Patented dan., ll, 'i953 tions for curtainwalls; the provision of panels, sections and/ or units for curtain wallswhich may be combined with similar units or panels to form aweatherproof wall, which is inherently adjustable without the use ofYsupplementing metallic and/ or other fillers or similar devices tocompensate for small inaccuracies in the size of the opening providedfor the wall; the provision of an improved joint, between the respectiverails and between the rails and mullions of pre-assembled units orsections for curtain walls, which is weatherproof and increases thestructural stability and resistance to bending, distortion, and theseparation of .the curtain wall section of which it is a part lbothduring assembly of the section per se and of the wall of which thesection is a part and after assembly of the wall when subjected to wind,heat and cold, and other deleterious effects of the weather; theprovision of improved means for covering and protecting the joint orjuncture between Vadjacent units or sections of a curtain wall, whichcontributes to the weatherproof qualities of the wall and `permitsrelative movement of the respective units and sections in response tochanging thermal conditions but is, nevertheless, pleasing Vin`appearance and adds Vto the esthetic characteristics of the wall, whichis easily removed and attached and which may take a variety ofinterchangeable external shapes as the user may desire; the provision ofa `curtain wall comprising a plurality of sections or units any one ofwhich may be relatively easily removed Vor replaced in the wall, ifdesired or if necessary, without necessitating the removal or `damage ofany other section or unit; and the .provision of a curtain Wall and/ orunits or sections therefor having one or more of the characteristics.and advantages set forth above.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will becomeapparent from the following description of preferred and modied forms ofmy invention, reference being had to the drawings in which:

lFIGURE l is a schematic elevation .of a building having a curtain wallembodying preferred forms of my `invention.

FIGURE 2 is a broken vertical section viewed along the `line 2 2 ofFIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal section viewed along the line 3 3 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal section viewed along the line 4 4 of FIGURE lbut showing an alternate Yshape for the mullion cover. j

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal section viewed along the line S--S of FIGURE land showing a joint between vertical and horizontal mullions of a wallsection.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section viewed `along the line 6 6 of FIGURE land showing the juncture between two vertically adjacent wall sections.

FIGURE 7 is an isometric view of a preferred form of hanger plate forfastening the curtain wall units or sections to the structural membersof the building.

FIGURE 8 is a `broken elevation showing the vertical mullions of ltwoadjacent wall sections and illustrating `means for connecting -the vsametogether and -to ahanger plate.

VFIGURE `9 is a horizontal section viewed along the line 9 9 of FIGURE8.

FIGURE l0 is a fragmentary enlarged viewcf another ypreferred form ofgasket shown in FIGURE 2 for retaining and sealing the panels, etc., inposition..

FIGURE ll is `a modified form of the gasket shown in FIGURE Y10.

FIGURE 12 is another means for supporting a panel or glass portionwithin a unit or section of the wall.

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but kshowing a mounting for aiixed sash.

FIGURE 14 is a broken vertical section similar to FIG- URE 2, showing aunit or section having a double hung window.

FIGURE is a broken vertical section, similar to FIGURE 2, showing forpurposes of illustration a unit or section embodying other forms of myinvention.

FIGURE 16 is a horizontal section similar to FIG- URE 5 but showinganother form of joint between vertical and horizontal rails or mullionsof a wall unit or section.

FIGURE 17 is a broken vertical section viewed along the line 17-17 ofFIGURE 5.

In the various figures similar numbers refer to similar parts.

A composite curtain wall embodying my invention is indicated generallyat I, FIGURE l. The wall 1 comprises a plurality of juxtaposed units orsections indicated generally at Z embodying my invention, which arearranged in one or more vertical and/or horizontal rows and are adaptedto be secured to the beams and columns comprising the main structuralsupports of the buildings and are also conveniently adapted to lit in oriill up the wall area within a predetermined masonry or other type offrame. The sections or units 2 may be of any desired size and the numberof rows of units is determined by the size of the units relative to thesize of the opening to be protected by the wall. My invention is equallyapplicable Whether the relative sizes of the units and opening are suchas to admit of only one row of units in either the horizontal orvertical directions, as at a in FIGURE l, which illustrates a wallhaving a single vertical row of units, or a plurality of rows in eitherdirection, as illustrated by rows b, c, and d, in FIGURE l. Each unitpreferably includes one or more panel portions 4 and one or more glassor window portions 5 las the user may desire arranged in any desiredsequence of any desired relative sizes. The panel portions 4, as willhereinafter more fully appear are preferably opaque, but may betranslucent or transparent, and have an outer decorative surface of anydesired color or texture, and the glass or window portions 5 may be ofthe fixed, double hung, or reversible window type and may be made withregular or Thermopane type glass or other transparent or translucentmaterial. Each unit or section 2 usually comprises portions, partsand/or members having different coefficients of expansion and it is afeature of my invention that the wall and the individual units 2 remainWeatherproof at all temperatures even though the parts thereof expandand contract at different rates and to different degrees.

A representative unit or section 2 is shown in FIGURE 2 and compriseslower and upper panel portions 4 and intermediate glass or windowportions 5, although as previously stated the relative size anddisposition of the various portions 4 and 5 within a given unit 2embodying my invention may be varied at the arbitrary discretion andchoice of the user, it only being necessary to properly arrange anddispose the rails and mullions of the section in accordance with thatchoice at the time of manufacture and assembly. Thus, for example, thevertical row b is illustrated as two units or sections 2 with the lowerunit having a lower panel portion 4 and upper glass portion 5 and theupper unit having a lower glass portion 5 and upper panel portion 4, andvertical row c illustrates two units or sections, both of which have alower panel portion 4 and an upper glass portion 5.

The portions 4 and 5 are located and supported in position and the unitis provided with structural strength by means of column members or siderails 7 (vertical mullions), FIGURES 3 to 6, and horizontal beammembers, mullions or top rail 8, bottom rail 1] and one or moreintermediate rails Il.

The members '7, 8, 1t) and 11 are conveniently and preferably formedfrom aluminum extrusions and are preferably intertitted and screwed orotherwise fastened together in accordance with the precepts of myinvention to form a substantially rigid unit having leakproof,Weatherproof joints and providing channels within which the edges of thepanel portions 4 and window portions 5 are disposed.

As best seen in FIGURES 3 through 6 the side rails 7 comprise a atlongitudinally extending web or base portion 13 preferably having at itsrespective side edges short perpendicular flanges I4 and I6, whichextend toward the center of the unit or section. Rails 7 also includelongitudinally extending horizontally spaced legs 17 and 19 which extendfrom the web 13 toward the center of the section and are provided withinturned flanges 2t) and 22, respectively, which detine a channel forthe reception of panel and window portions 4 and 5.

In order to provide a leakproof, weatherproof juncture between theadjacent section or units I provide resilient sealing means secured toeach unit and adapted to engage the adjacent unit or section when thewall is assembled. Preferably the sealing means is secured to theoutside of the outer rail of one section and engages the outside of theadjacent outer rail of the adjacent section. More particularly I providea plurality of sealing means between adjacent sections secured to theweb portion of the rails so that the sealing means on one section issecured to the inside with respect to the building, of the web and onthe adjacent section to the outside of the web, see FIGURES 3, 4 and 6,although alternatively the sealing means may be secured to both sides ofboth members, see for example FIGURE 9.

I prefer that the sealing means comprise a seal 23 formed from extrudedstock of a rubber, rubber substitute or other resilient material andhaving a hollow cylindrical main body portion 25 and an integral legportion 26 having an enlarged end.

The leg portion 26 of seal 23 provides convenient means for securing theseal to the web 13 of rail 7 and the hollow body portion 25 of seal 23,effectively engages the adjacent rail of the adjacent section when thewall is assembled to provide a seal therebetween as will hereinaftermore fully appear, and also to provide an adjustable joint between theadjacent sections having a sufiicient range of adjustment or playpermitting the effective length of a row of panels to be varied uponinstallations suiciently to compensate for small inaccuracies in thesize of the wall opening which often exist under 0r result from presentconstruction methods, and to provide a joint which absorbs thecontraction and expansion of the sections and row in response to changesin temperature, In this connection it is a feature of my invention thatalthough the joint between adjacent sections when the wall is assembledis weatherproof, there are no integral metallic or rigid parts whichinterlock the adjacent sections and prevent the adjustment of the rowlength upon installation and because there is no integral rigid ormetallic interlocking of the sections if one section becomes damaged, asby an object colliding with the building, etc., it may be removed andreplaced without removing any other section. The joint between adjacentsections is further weatherproofed and protected and made decorativelyacceptable and pleasing by the removable mullion covers 3G and 31,FIGURE 3, 30 and 31', FIGURE 4, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

4In order to secure my preferred seal 23 to the rail I provide anelongated groove 33 in the base member 13. The grooves 33 are preferablyformed with an enlarged inner end which is the female complement of theleg 26 of Vseal 23. The seal is secured or mounted on the rail 7 bysliding the leg 26 into and along groove 33 from the one end or theother of the rail. Preferably, where the assembled wall is more than onesection or row high the seal is of greater length than the rail by anamount suiiicient to permit the side seals of adjacent vertical sectionsto contact each other across the joint between the vertically adjacentsections.

The top and bottom rails 8 and 10 are preferably similar to the rail '7in those respects already described when the rails 8 and lil are to beadjacent a similar section in the nished wall to which the section theyare a part of is to be joined, see for example FIGURE 6. When the rail 8-is the top rail of the uppermost section in a finished wall or the rail1t) is the bottom rail in the lowermost section in a finished wallappropriately shaped adapters 34 are fitted in the groves 33 and thesein turn are secured to the building by suitable fastening means. A seal,not shown, may be disposed between the adapters 34 and the building ifdesired. Alternatively, as will hereinafter morey fully appear, theshape of the rails 3 and/or ltimay be modified in certain respects, seeFIGURE 15, for example, in order to secure the same to the building inaccordance with the desires of the user without departing from theprecepts and scope of my invention.

It is a feature of my invention that the panel and window portions 4 and5 ot' each section are supported within each section so that the glassand panels may oat relative to each other and to the rails or mullionsso that the different rates and degrees of expansion and contraction ofthe various members due to different co-eicients of expansion do notinduce separation of the parts and members with resultant leakage andloss of weatherproofness. To this end I provide means and structurewhich retains, at least, the non-similar parts and portions of thesection or unit in a suspended position relative to the rails andobviates the necessity of direct mechanical engagement between suchsuspended portions and the rest of the unit or section. Thus as leastthe non-similiar parts and portions may expand and contract withoutregard to the expansion and contraction of the balance of the unit orsection and in effect float relative to the unit. I further suspend orfloat such portions and parts of the unit in such a manner and by suchmeans as to insure a weatherproof, leakproof joint or juncture betweensuch portions and parts and the adjacent rails or integral parts of thesection respectively. Further means embodying my invention is alsouseful for providing a weatherproof joint or juncture between parts andportions, of a panel wall section or similar device, which are made ofsimilar material, if desired.

In order to accomplish these objects and provide for rny preferred meansfor suspending and supporting the panel and window portion, i preferablyprovide the flanges 2t) and 22 of the rails 7 with longitudinallyextending opposed inwardly facing grooves or channel means 36 and 37respectively. The grooves or channels 36 and 37 may take any convenientshape and are preferably provided with a neck or opening 39 and 4i),respectively, which is narrower or reduced in size relative to the innerportions of the groove or channel.

To seal and support the panel or other member between the flanges 2@ and22, without bottoming the same against the web 13 of the rails (verticalor horizontal as will hereinafter more fully appear), a gasket 42,FIGURES 2 to 6 and 10, is disposed in each of the grooves 36 and 37. Thegasket 42 has a male portion 43 which is complementary to the channels36 and 37 respectively and is positioned therein by sliding the gasketinto and along the respective channels from the end of the rail and aresilient leg or flap portion 45 which in its free state extendsoutwardly from the channel towards the opposite flange and is adapted tobe bent to extend towardthe web ll3 when a panel, etc., is positionedbetween the flanges 2d' and 22.

The gasket 42 (FIGURE 10) preferably comprises a core 46 formed from aresilient elastic material such as neoprene covered by a vinylimpregnated nylon cloth, FIGURE l0. The cloth 48 is mounted so as to bedisposed between the core and the panel or other member. Alternativelythe gasket i2 may be composed entirely of neoprene, -see FIGURE 2 forexample, or in some lil instances the core 46 may be formed from anon-elastic material such as rope.

FiGURE ll discloses a gasket 42' having a rope or similar core do', forexample, about which is wrapped a cloth d, in which the core 46 isconfined to the male portion 43 of the gasket and the iiap of the gasketcomprises only the free ends of the cloth 218. The selection of theproper form of gasket ill or 152 to use in any given wall depends on theconvenience and necessity of the given installation albeit in generalthe forms are interchangeabie.

intermediate rails or mnilion bars il separate and define the horizontallimits ot the respective panel and glass portions 4 and 5 of eachsection or unit and provide channels into which the adjacent edge ormember of each said portion is positioned and supported. The mnllionbars ii are carried and supported by the side raiis 7, which, theyinterconnect, and the muliion bar channels are similar in function andgeneral configurations to and are adapted to be aligne( with thechannels formed in the rails by the legs and flanges i7 and 2d, and E9and 22, respectively.

To this end, see FlGUAi comprise a web o the hars ii conveniently member49 andY parallel sides or leg member-s and 52. The members 5i and 52extend at right angles to and in both directions from the web 49. Eachside member Si and 52. is provided at its respective ends with flanges54, which extend towards the similar on the opposite side member and isprovided with a groove 55 which opens toward said other ftange. Thegrooves 55 have the same purpose as the grooves 36 and 37 and theconsiderations as to size and shape are equally applicable to thegrooves as to the grooves 3d and 37. Grooves 55 are adapted to receivegaskets for example, albeit under some circumstances certain members orparts of a glass potion 5, for example, may directly on aligned oppositeflanges S4 without necessitating the-use of gaskets d2. Aiternativelygaskets may be used and either of the gaskets may take any oi the formsillustrated and discussed above.

The relative depth of the respective mullion channels formed ny the webIt? and sides 5l and 5l is determinable at the discretion ot the user,however, i prefer that those channeis adapted to receive panel portionsot the section be oniy about one half the depth of those adapted toreceive glass portions.

In order to prevent leakage of wind and water at the juncture betweenthe as in each curtain wall section or unit. sections or units embodyingmy invention are prefersbij.y provided with my new improved means forjoining such members together in an interiocked, sealed, watslr and airtight unit.

To this end. as best seen in liti-EURES 5 and 17, the flanges 2h and 22of the side rails, for example. are punched out, as at 58 and eti,respectively, to form apertures. Apertures 5d and are sized to receivein a tight sliding t either the legs It? and of a top or bottoni rail orthe sides Si and 521 of an intermediate rail or mullion. The width ofthe Zii and 2 and the depth of the grooves 36 and 37 are so related asto allow the entire area of the punched out sections 5S and 65 to liewithin the contines of the grooves 3o and 37 and the punch is made aftergaskets a2, preferably having a neoprene or elastic core, similar tothat shown in FIG- URES 2 or IG, have been inserted in the respectivegrooves.

As the die punches the flanges and gaskets it stretches the gaskets,While cutting therethrough, and makes' a smaller punch therein than inthe metal flange surrounding the gasket and when the die is 'withdrawnthe gasket in each groove extends slightly beyond or into the areas 53and 5@ sufficiently to engage the rails or mullions when the same arepositioned within the punched opening and Seal the joint betwee suchmember and the side rail.

The respective horizontal rails or mullion bars are further secured orfastened to the side rail by means of screws el extending through theweb l3- of the vertical rail and engaging the circularl grooves 55 and36 and 37 as the case may be. Conveniently screws also extend throughthe web I3 of a top or bottom rail and engage the respective circulargrooves d6 and 37 of the side rail to further strengthen the joint.

The panel portions 4 (see .FIGURES 2, 14 and l5) preferably comprisehollow steel panels tilted with insulation and having decorative exposedsurfaces, conveniently of baked enamel, and are positioned within thesection or unit 2. iby having their peripheral edges disposed betweenand frictionally engaged by the opposed gasket 42, `for example, to theend that the panels have a floating suspension relative to the sectionor unit and expand and contract independently thereof or of the othermembers and parts thereof. This mounting is further advantageous becausethe baked enamel panels and surrounding aluminum rails or mullions mergevisually without any seals or s gaskets appearing lbetween the visuallyadjacent edges thereof.

The glass portion 5 of a curtain wall section or unit embodying myinvention may as previously stated contain inter alia, a fixed, doublehung or pivoted window. Double hung and vertically pivoted windows arepreferably supported within the section by means of adapters ormodifying members which are supported within the respective mullion andrail channels between the opposed gaskets 42, for example, orconveniently, in the case of the lower adapter for each window, Abydirect engagement between the adapter and the flanges of the adjacentrail or mullion of a curtain wall unit or section.

FIGURES 2 and 4 disclose, for example, a curtain wall unit or section 2embodying my invention and equipped with a glass portion 5 having avertical pivot window and FIGURES 4 and l4 disclose a unit or section 2having a glass portion S having a double hung window.

For the upper and side framing members for a pivoted or double hungwindow I preferably provide adapters 62, FIGURES 2, 3, 4, and 14 havingbifurcated legs 64, which engage and are supported within the channelsof the rails or mullions by and between the gaskets 42 by frictionalengagement, in a manner substantially similar to that by which thepanels fore the pivot and double hung windows float or expand andcontract independently of the rails and mullions. That portion of eachadapter 62, which engages the window and functions as a frame therefor,as opposed to that portion, legs 64 and web 65, which engages the railsand mullions and is disposed between the flanges 2d and 22, is shaped inaccordance with the desires of the user and the needs of the particularwindow to be used and per se forms no part of this invention.

For the lower frame of each double hung or pivot window I preferablyprovide an adapter 62 which seats upon and is supported by the flanges54 of an adjacent mullion bar or flanges 2d and 22 of an adjacent bottomrail, FIGURE 14. The configuration of that portion of adapter 62 whichengages the window is also determined at the discretion of the user andin accordance with the needs of the particular window to be used.

FIGURES 13 and l5 disclose a fixed glass window, for a curtain wall unitor section embodying my invention, which is mounted, as I prefer, so asto float or expand and contract relative to the unit or sectionindependently thereof in substantially the same manner as the panel 4.To this end I preferably provide adapters 67, which close or bridge aportion of the opening of the channels defined by the flanges Zit and 22and 54. of the respective rails or mullions.

The adapters 67 are supported within the inner grooves 37, for example,of the rail (gasket 42 being omitted for the length of the adapter) andare provided with a 4 are supported, and theregroove which issubstantially similar in all respects to the groove 37, within which theadapter is seated, except that it is laterally nearer the opposite outergroove 36. Groove 6d is adapted to receive a gasket 42, for example, inthe same manner and for the same purpose as the inner groove 37 and thepane of glass is disposed between the gaskets 42 in the grooves 36 and68 and frictionally retained thereby.

Alternatively a mullion or rail the entire length of which is to supporta fixed window may have the adapter formed integrally therewith asindicated generally, for example, at 7d, FIGURE l5.

As shown in FIGURE l5 the bottom edge of the pane of glass is preferablysupported within a gasket 72, which is similar to that disclosed andclaimed in my U.S. Patent No. 2,667,951, issued February 2, 1954.

Weep holes '73 may be provided in the exterior legs or sides i7 and Sirespectively of the bottom and intermediate rails or mullions to drainoff any liquid seeping past the gaskets.

As previously stated removable mullion covers 30, 31, Sti" and 3i', forexample, see FIGURES 3 and 4, are provided to ensure a more leakproofweatherproof joint between the adjacent units or sections in a finishedwall and to make the joints more decoratively acceptable and pleasing tothe eye.

The respective mullion covers comprise a web portion 75, having anydesired exterior shape, and two inwardly extending transversely spacedlegs 76 having reentrant iianges '73 at their respective ends adjacentthe sections or units 2. The legs 7d and flanges 78 are adapted tostraddle the adjacent flanges I4 or 16, of the adjacent rail 7, forexample, and the flanges 7d seat against the legs I7 or I9 thereof.Springs 79 are disposed between the flanges la or 16 and the flanges 'Iand are adapted to detachably hold the mullion covers in place againstthe rails. Springs 79 conveniently comprise rolled strips of stainlesssteel having their ends overlapped and having a greater at rest diameterthan the distance between the respective legs 17 or I9 and flanges I4 or16.

The legs 76 of the mullion covers are spaced apart sufficiently toprovide a positive frictional engagement between the respective springs79, legs 76 and flanges 78, when the mullion covers are fully seated,while permitting the flanges 78 to compress the spring and passthereover when the mullion cover is pushed towards the rail or pulledtherefrom over the springs.

In order `to secure a curtain wall embodying my invention to a buildingI prefer to use hanger plates 8d, FIG- URES 7, 8 and 9. The plates titlmay be secured to guides, beams or columns or other structural membersand comprise a base portion 8l, which is secured to the structuralmember, and an outwardly and vertically extending fin portion 32, whichis adapted to lit between the adjacent rails of adjacent units orsections. Normally two plates 8u, one near the top and one near thebottom, are disposed between the rails 7 of each pair of laterallyadjacent units or sections, albeit more plates may be used, if desired,and plates also may be disposed between vertically adjacent units orsections. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9; FIG. 8 being a side elvation andFIG. 9 a horizontal section, the base portion 8l of plate 80 ispreferably provided with horizontally extending slots 84, which permitlateral adjustment of the plates 80 relative to the building structureto which they are attached. The fin portion 82 is preferably providedwith vertically extending slots 85, which allow for the verticalexpansion and contraction of the rails of the units or sections relativeto the plate and structure; the horizontal contraction and expansionbeing relieved by the seals 23 as set forth above, and the floatingsuspension of the panel and glass portions.

Where only one seal 23 is mounted on each rail as in FIGURES 3, 4 and13, the body 25 of the seals 23 is preferably cut in half as at 90,FIGURES 8 and 9, for

9 the length of fin 82 and a short similarly cut seal 23 is mountedoppositely thereof on the other rail to more adequately center andposit-Jn the plates 80 relative to the wall sections.

The adjacent sections or units 2 are held together by a plurality ofnuts and bolts 37, FIGURES 2 and 9, having resilient washers 83 disposedbetween the nuts and bolt heads, respectively, and the web 13 of theadjacent rail 7. The resilient Washers 68 permit relative movement ofthe adjacent sections and ensure a tight joint, whether the individualunits or sections are expanded or contracted relative to each other,because of variations in temperature. The nuts and bolts 87 are disposedat convenient intervals along the webs 13 between the ilanges 14` and i6and the legs .1 7 and 19, respectiveiy, and certain of the bolts arealso adapted to pass through the slots of plates Sii so as to secure thewall to the building.

As previously noted the resilient joint between adjacent units orsections consequent upon the use of the seals 23 and washers E8 permitsof some adjustment of the spacing between the rails of adjacent units orsections in order to allow for irregularities or tolerances in the size`of the wall opening.

Further because the adjacent units or sections are not interlocked anygiven unit or section may be removed, for repairs, or replaced withoutdisturbing adjacent units or sections by simply removing the mullioncovers and unbolting the unit or section from its neighbors.

Straps (not shown) may be bolted to the lower rail of the lower unit orsection of each vertical row thereof for securing the wall to a concreteor similar base.

FIGURE .7. illustrates adapters 34 by which the top rail 8 of theuppermost unit or section of a vertical row thereof and the outside railof the outside unit or sec- "tion of a horizontal row thereof areconveniently secured to the adjacent. masonry or building framework. HCVURE i5 illustrates a modified form ofttop rail S Vhaving legs i7' and i9and especially adapted for co-action with mounting strips 9d and 95 forinterconnecting or securing the masonry and adiacent rail, suitablefasteners, not shown, and flat sealing strips if desired, ensuring atight joint between the masonry and mounting strips and rails.

FEGURE l2 illustrates a seal 97 also embodying the disclosures of my US.Patent No. 2,667,951, issued February 2, 1954, and adapted with thechannel portions for mounting a panel or glass portion of a unit orsecltion on and within the rails or mullions thereof. In use seal 97 ismounted about the peripheral edge of a panel 4, for example, and thepanel is then seated directly between the opposed llanges 20 and 22 and54, respectively, with the seal 97 directly engaging the rail or mullionand the lips 9g of the seal seating upon and being supported by theflanges 20 and 22 and S4.

The seal 97 functions to obtain a result similar to that of the gaskets42 and 42' except that the lip portions 98 of seal 97 is visible betweenthe line of the rails or mullions and the panel, for example, to thosewho observe the wall or section thereof containing the same.

FIGURE 16 illustrates alternate means for joining horizontal andvertical rails or mullions. In this instance the horizontal rail 1l isbutted against the flanges d and 22 of the vertical rail '7, with a seal10i) disposed therebetween, and secured thereto by screws 101 passingthrough the respective flanges Ztl and 22 and engaging the rail in themanner that screws 61 engage grooves 36" and 37.

ln use the individual units or sections 2 are preas sembled at a factoryor similar place and then individually positioned and secured into theWall and to the building in the manner described in situ, after whichthe mullion covers are pushed into position, those mullion coversrunning in one direction being longer than a single unit or section ifdesired.

Modiiications, changes and improvements to the above described andillustrated preferred and modified forms and embodiments of my inventionmay occur to those skilled in the art Without departing from the spiritand substance or" my invention. I therefore do not wish to be limitedlto these forms and embodiments of my invention nor in any mannerinconsistent with the advance by which my invention has promoted theart.

i claim:

l. A weatherproof, exterior curtain wall comprising a plurality ofadjacent units in a common plane, each said unit comprising intersectingspaced vertical and spaced horizontal rails, adjacent spaced pairs ofsaid rails deiining at least one panel portion and at least one glassportion, said rails having channels opening toward said panel nd glassportions respectively, resilient sealing means carried by said rails andextending into said channels, panel means in each said panel portion andwindow means in each said glass portion of each said unit, said sealingmeans frictionally engaging each said panel means and window meansadjacent the periphery thereof, said panel and window means havingmovemeut in contraction and expansion independent of said rails, theoutermost of said vertical and horizontal rails adjacent adjacent unitshaving resilient sealing means mounted -on the outer side thereof andoperatively engaging the adjacent outermost rail of the adjacent unit,fastening means interconnecting said adjacent outermost rails andresilient means disposed between said fasten ing means and said adjacentrails respectively, said resilient means being on the side of each saidadjacent rail remote trom the other said rail.

2. The wall according to claim l on a building with hanger platessecuring said Wall to said building, each said plate having a firstportion extending between adjacent vertical rails of adjacent units anda `second portion extending transversely ot said rst portion, verticallyextending slots in said rst portion and horizontally extending slots insaid second portion, certain of said fastening means extending throughsaid vertical slots and second fastening means extending through saidhorizontal slots and securing said plate to said building.

3. The wall according to claim 1 with each said rail extending in onedirection having flanges extending toward each other and defining theentrance to said channel, mutually facing grooves in said anges, gasketsin said grooves, apertures in said flanges intersecting said channel andsnugly receiving the end of a said rail extending in the transversedirection, said gaskets underlying said ilnages respectively adjacentsaid apertures and extending into said apertures and tightly engagingsaid transverse rail and sealing the juncture between said rails.

4. A structural unit having a plurality of intersecting vertical andhorizontal rails forming a frame for at least one insert portion, eachsaid rail having opposed, spaced flanges extending transversely of theplane of said unit and de fining a channel opening toward the interiorof said unit, said ilanges in certain of said rails having mutuallyfacing apertures therein, said apertures intersecting the said channeldefined by said apertured flanges and receiv ing at least a portion of asaid rail extending transversely of a said certain rail respectively andsealing means carried by said certain rails respectively and extendinginto said apertures respectively and tightly engaging the saidtransversely extending rails respectively.

5. The structural unit according to claim 4 in which each said iiange insaid rails has a groove opening toward the adjacent channel, each saidgroove being of greater depth than the adjacent said aperture and saidsealing means is in part disposed Within said grooves and extends withineach said groove to a greater depth than the depth of the apertureadjacent thereto.

6. A Weatherproof exterior curtain wall comprising a plurality ofadjacent units in a common plane, each said unit having outer verticaland horizontal rails, said vertical and horizontal rails of each unitbeing adjacent similar outer rails of an adjacent unit, resilientsealing means dis-v posed between said adjacent rails and of lengthsubstantially equal to the length of said rails respectively and beingmounted on one said outer rail and extending toward and engaging theadjacent outer rail, resilient fastening means interconnecting andsecuring said adjacent rails together, said outer rails having a surfaceextending toward the center of the units, a flange laterally spacedtherefrom and parallel therewith and a web extending therebetween,rnullion covers overlapping a portion of the said adjacent outer railsof adjacent units respectively and covering said sealing means, saidrnullion covers having a body portion, spaced parallel leg portionsconnected therewith and extending toward said surfaces respectively ofsaid adjacent outer rails and a iiange at the end of each leg portion,each said rnullion cover ange being juxtaposed to and parallel with theadjacent said surface and being more remote from the outer rail adjacentthe other said flange of said rnullion cover than said adjacent ange ofthe rail to which the said mullion cover flange is juxtaposed, and meansreieasably securing rnullion cover to said adjacent units comprisingtensioned spring means disposed and acting between and engaging saidadjacent rail and rnullion cover anges respectively and having an axisextending parallel with the length of said rail and rnullion coveranges, each said unit and said outer rails thereof having movement inexpansion and contraction relative to the adjacent units and theadjacent outer rails thereof, respectively, independent of' saidadjacent units and outer rails and independent of said rnullion covers.

7. A weatherproof exterior curtain wall comprising a plurality ofadjacent units in a common plane, each said unit havingouter verticaland horizontal rails, said vertical and horizontal rails of each unitbeing adjacent similar outer rails of an adjacent unit, resilientsealing means disposed between said adjacent rails and of lengthsubstantially equal to the length of said rails respectively and beingmounted on one said outer rail and extending toward and engaging theadjacent outer rail, said adjacent rails having spaced pairs of alignedapertures and resilient fastening means interconnecting and securingsaid adjacent rails together and comprising bolt means extending througheach said pair of aligned apertures, wall means at the ends of said boltmeans, respectively, and a resilient washer disposed about said boltmeans and intermediate C,

each said wall means and the adjacent rail whereby each said unit andsaid outer rails thereof have movement in expansion and contractionrelative to the adjacent units and the adjacent outer rails thereof,respectively, independent of said adjacent units and outer rails.

8. A weatherproof exterior curtain wall comprising a plurality ofadjacent units in a common plane, each said unit having outer verticaland horizontal rails, said vertical and horizontal rails of each unitbeing adjacent similar outer rails of an adjacent unit, resilientsealing means disposed between said adjacent rails and of lengthsubstantially equal to the length of said rails, respectively, and beingmounted on one said outer rail and extending toward and engaging theadjacent outer rail, resilient fastening means interconnecting andsecuring said adjacent rails together, each said unit and said outerrails thereof having movement in expansion and contraction relative tothe adjacent units and the adjacent outer rails thereof, respectivelyindependent of said adjacent units and outer rails, and a plurality ofhanger plates for mounting said wall on a building, each said platehaving a n portion disposed between adjacent outer rails and a baseportion for securing to said building, said iin portion being engaged bysaid sealing means and having slots extending in length in the directionof the rails between which said iin portion is disposed, a portion ofsaid resilient fastening means extending through said slots and havingsubstan tially less thickness in the direction of the length of saidslots than the length thereof.

9. A weatherproof structural unit for exterior walls having a pluralityof vertical and horizontal rails forming a frame `and an insert portionsupported therein, each `said rail having flanges dening a channelopening toward said insert portion, mutual facing grooves in saidflanges, respectively, and opening toward the adjacent channel, sealingmeans being disposed in said grooves respectively and extendingoutwardly therefrom into the adjacent channel and frictionally engagingand supporting said insert portion at the periphery thereof, said insertportion having movement in contraction and expansion independent of andrelative to said rails and sealing means, said nanges of certain of saidrails having apertures for snugly receiving at least a part of the endof a said rail extending transversely of said certain rails,respectively, and said sealing means underlying said franges adjacentsaid apertures, respectively, and extending into each said aperture andtightly engaging the said transversely extending rail disposed therein.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS1,939,809 Gorman Dec. 19, 1933 1,962,826 MacDonald lune 12, 19342,377,42'7 Kessler June 5, 1945 2,424,547 Behin uly 29, 1947 2,632,534Gray Mar. 24, 1953 2,800,983 Toney uly 30, 1957 2,843,233 Walsh Iuiy 15,1958 2,885,040 Grossman May 5, 1959 FOREEGN PATENTS 103,177 Sweden Dec.2, 1941 110,566 Sweden May 9, 1944 600,173 Great Britain Apr. l, 1948OTHER REFERENCES Sweets Architectural Catalog, 1956 edition, page 14 ofsec. 17a/Flo and page 18 of sec. 17a/Flo.

Sweets Architectural Catalog, 1956 edition, pages 10 and 11 of section17a/So and page l0 of section 17a/Tr.

1. A WEATHERPROOF, EXTERIOR CURTAIN WALL COMPRISING A PLURALITY OFADJACENT UNITS IN A COMMON PLANE, EACH SAID UNIT COMPRISING INTERSECTINGSPACED VERTICAL AND SPACED HORIZONTAL RAILS, ADJACENT SPACED PAIRS OFSAID RAILS DEFINING AT LEAST ONE PANEL PORTION AND AT LEAST ONE GLASSPORTION, SAID RAILS HAVING CHANNELS OPENING TOWARD SAID PANEL AND GLASSPORTIONS RESPECTIVELY, RESILIENT SEALING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID RAILS ANDEXTENDING INTO SAID CHANNELS, PANEL MEANS IN EACH SAID PANEL PORTION ANDWINDOW MEANS IN EACH SAID GLASS PORTION OF EACH SAID UNIT, SAID SEALINGMEANS FRICTIONALLY ENGAGING EACH SAID PANEL MEANS AND WINDOW MEANSADJACENT THE PERIPHERY THEREOF, SAID PANEL AND WINDOW MEANS HAVINGMOVEMENT IN CONTRACTION AND EXPANSION INDEPENDENT OF SAID RAILS, THEOUTERMOST OF SAID VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL RAILS ADJACENT ADJACENT UNITSHAVING RESILIENT SEALING MEANS MOUNTED ON THE OUTER SIDE THEREOF ANDOPERATIVELY ENGAGING THE ADJACENT OUTERMOST RAIL OF THE ADJACENT UNIT,FASTENING MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID ADJACENT OUTERMOST RAILS ANDRESILIENT MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FASTENING MEANS AND SAID ADJACENTRAILS RESPECTIVELY, SAID RESILIENT MEANS BEING ON THE SIDE OF EACH SAIDADJACENT RAIL REMOTE FROM THE OTHER SAID RAIL.